Hollow hydroxyapatite microspheres/chitosan composite as a sustained delivery vehicle for rhBMP-2 in the treatment of bone defects.

Composite scaffold comprised of hollow hydroxyapatite (HA) and chitosan (designated hHA/CS) was prepared as a delivery vehicle for recombinating human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). The in vitro and in vivo biological activities of rhBMP2 released from the composite scaffold were then investigated. The rhBMP-2 was firstly loaded into the hollow HA microspheres, and then the rhBMP2-loaded HA microspheres were further incorporated into the chitosan matrix.

SOD mimetic improves the function, growth, and survival of small-size liver grafts after transplantation in rats.

Background: Small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) may occur when graft volume is less than 45% of the standard liver volume, and it manifests as retarded growth and failure of the grafts and more mortality. However, its pathogenesis is poorly understood, and few effective interventions have been attempted.

Aims: The present study aimed to delineate the critical role of oxidant stress in SFSS and protective effects of a superoxide dismutase mimetic, Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride (MnTBAP), on graft function, growth, and survival in the recipient rats.

[Surgical technique and concept in precise hepatectomy: experience of 338 cases of hepatectomy in single center].

Objective: To evaluate the perioperative clinical outcome and predictive factors for perioperative complication morbidity and mortality.

Methods: From August 2003 to August 2008, the data of 338 cases of hepatectomy performed in the liver transplant center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University was collected in a prospective manner. The patients' perioperative clinical risk factors and results were analyzed.

Hepatic regenerative response in small-sized liver isografts in the rat.

Background: To investigate hepatic regenerative response and associated mechanisms in different-size liver grafts in the rat.

Methods: Rat models of different-size-graft liver transplantation (whole, 50%-size, or 30%-size) were established, with a sham operation group serving as a control. Portal pressure, graft injury, interleukin 6 (IL-6), signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat3), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cyclin D1, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were all assessed.

Adenoviral cardiotrophin-1 transfer improves survival and early graft function after ischemia and reperfusion in rat small-for-size liver transplantation model.

This study was to investigate the effect of donor liver adenoviral cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) gene transfer on early graft survival and function in rat small-for-size liver transplantation. We constructed a recombinant murine CT-1 adenoviral vector. Donor rats were transduced in vivo with adenoviruses expressing CT-1 (AdCT-1) or control vector (AdEGFP).

Adoptive transfusion of ex vivo donor alloantigen-stimulated CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells ameliorates rejection of DA-to-Lewis rat liver transplantation.

Background: Adoptive transfusion of splenocytes from long-term survivors of a tolerance model of rat orthotopic liver transplantation can induce acceptance of liver allografts in a rejection model preconditioned with donor gamma-irradiation before liver transplantation. Recent studies suggest that the regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in splenocytes from long-term survivors play an important role in the induction of liver graft tolerance, but this observation was made from a rejection model preconditioned with donor gamma-irradiation; little is known about the role of Treg cells in liver graft rejection using a naive rejection model. In this study, we examined the therapeutic potential of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells in a naive rejection model of rat liver transplantation.

Impaired hepatic regeneration by ischemic preconditioning in a rat model of small-for-size liver transplantation.

Objective: Graft size is one of the major risk factors in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation and rapid regeneration is an essential post-operative requirement. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been shown to be an effective strategy in the reduction of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and stimulation of liver regeneration. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of IPC on liver regeneration in small-for-size liver grafts.

Mesenchymal stem cells over-expressing hepatocyte growth factor improve small-for-size liver grafts regeneration.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) associated with small-for-size liver transplantation (SFSLT) impairs liver graft regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capability, under specific conditions, of differentiating into hepatocytes. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has potent anti-apoptotic and mitogenic effects on hepatocytes during liver injury, and has been utilized in many experimental and clinical applications.

[CD4(+) CD25(+) Tr cells and transcription factor Foxp3 in the naturally tolerance of rat liver transplantation].

Objective: To investigate the role of intrahepatic CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory cells and Foxp3 gene in the natural tolerance in rat liver transplantation.

Methods: The orthotopic liver transplantation models of inbred rats (LEW and DA rats) were established with double-sleeve technique and the models were divided into two groups: tolerance group (TOL group, LEW-to-DA) and rejection group (REJ group, DA-to-LEW). The intrahepatic lymphocytes from each group were isolated by using density gradient centrifugation.

[Isolation and function analysis of rat CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells].

Aim: To investigate the isolation method and to analyze the function of rat CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells.

Methods: Lymphocytes were isolated from the rat spleens and then CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells were sorted by magnetic bead cell sorting (MACS) system. The purity and Foxp3 expression of CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry(FCM) and RT-PCR, respectively.